Gerard Houllier reveals Aston Villa have 'reacted strongly' to punish James Collins & Richard Dunne for arguing with staff

Pair had dispute with coaches during team building session

 

 Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier has confirmed he has disciplined defensive pair James Collins and Richard Dunne over an incident at a health spa.

The French boss had taken his players on a team bonding exercise but Collins and Dunne allegedly rowed with coaching staff and Houllier told reporters on Thursday that the club have "reacted strongly".
The former Liverpool boss told reporters: "There was no fracas, but Dunne and Collins have been disciplined and this is all I can say on the matter.
"The club has reacted strongly and quickly, and now we move on to what is most important for us, the game against Wolverhampton at the weekend.
"It was dealt with quickly and strongly by the club but also internally, but I am not going into details.
"I am not going to talk specifically about what happened in this incident. That's it."
Both players have apologised for the spat via the media, with Dunne telling the News of the World: "I apologise unreservedly for my behaviour on Wednesday night. It was not acceptable and I am genuinely sorry."

Collins added: "We were wrong. This should not have happened and I apologise for the part I played."

Collins and Dunne are both sidelined with injuries at the moment, and Houllier confirmed that they will be considered when they return to fitness, and looked to sweep the incident under the carpet.

"We all make mistakes," he said. "Sometimes you have to take into account the fact that you have to be aware of that and deal with that. "Everyone has a chance to play for Aston Villa. I played Nathan Baker who is 19 and Robert Pires who is 37.
"When they are fit, they will be in contention."

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Fulham manager Mark Hughes backs Mohamed Al Fayed's decision to erect a statue of Michael Jackson outside Craven Cottage

Chairman was a close friend of the late musician

 Fulham manager Mark Hughes has defended chairman Mohamed Al Fayed’s decision to erect at statue of music legend Michael Jackson at Craven Cottage.

Al Fayed had caused controversy among fans by deciding to place a statue of the performer, who died in 2009, outside Craven Cottage.

The statue was was originally due to be erected at Harrods before Al Fayed - who was a close friend of Jackson -  sold the Knightsbridge store.

But Hughes backed his chairman’s decision.

"In fairness to the chairman, he's fully supported this club for a long time now, put in something like £200 million," he told reporters.

"And if he wants to make that gesture to somebody who he knew personally then who am I to pass comment on it.

"What has to be judged are the reasons behind it.

"And the reasons are he was a close personal friend of the chairman of Fulham Football Club, and he obviously wants to mark that and make people understand the respect and affection that he had for the guy."

"The fact that it's at the football club will maybe cause a debate," he added.

"But, really, we shouldn't question our chairman's motives."

 

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Sunderland defender John Mensah fully focused on Liverpool challenge: I'm not playing against Luis Suarez only

Ghanaian does not blame striker over World Cup handball

Sunderland defender John Mensah insists he is fully focused on taming Liverpool this weekend and not on what Luis Suarez did in the World Cup last summer.

Mensah will come up against the Uruguay striker for the first time since he denied a clear goal when he punched the ball on the line in the quarter-final in South Africa.

But the Ghanaian defender has put what happened to the back of his mind.

He said: "What he did in the World Cup is not in my mind right now.

"What is in my mind at the moment? That we stop him and Liverpool from scoring.

"I believe I am playing for Sunderland against Liverpool, not against Luis Suarez only.

"He knows we as Ghanaians are sad for what he did, but I don’t blame him too much and I don’t think about it."

Mensah believes the Black Cats can take great confidence from their draw against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in their last league outing.

Sunderland currently sit four points behind Kenny Dalglish’s side and can close the gap with a victory.

He added: "Arsenal two weeks ago was a big game and we got a point.

"They were looking to come back after failing to win the cup but we played well and earned a good result.

"Now we have another difficult game against Liverpool. They are above us so we believe we have to win this game.

"We have determination and we know the calibre of their players – we must go out to get three points.

"Our determination and playing as a team is vital.

"If we play together no matter where the opposition player is on the pitch with the ball, we can get to him."

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson decides not to appeal his five-match touchline ban

Boss will be back for Arsenal game

 

The Football Association have confirmed Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will not appeal his five-match touchline ban, which will start immediately.

Ferguson was given the ban by an FA tribunal after his comments about referee Martin Atkinson in an interview with MUTV following his side’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier this month.

The Scot was found guilty of improper conduct for criticising the referee’s display after he awarded Chelsea a penalty and sent Nemanja Vidic off.

Ferguson told MUTV after the game: "You want a fair referee, or a strong referee anyway - and we didn't get that."

After hearing of the ban Ferguson was critical of the FA.

He said: "It is disappointing.

"It is the only industry where you can't tell the truth. But it is in the past now."

But the FA have confirmed he will not appeal the decision.

They have also accepted a application for his suspension to start with immediate effect.

This means he will be suspended for Premier League home matches against Bolton, Fulham and Everton, a trip to West Ham United and also the FA Cup semi-final against rivals Manchester City.

But it does mean he will be back in the dugout for United’s decisive league match with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on May 1.

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Tottenham target Sergio Aguero: 'I want to stay with Atletico Madrid for as long as I can'

Argentine appreciates interest from other clubs

 

 Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero has underlined his commitment to the club amid rumours of an imminent departure this summer.

The striker has been linked to a host of Europe's top clubs, including arch-rivals Real Madrid, and had a bid for his services from Tottenham turned down late in the January window.

But the Argentine has pointed to the fact that his deal with Atleti runs for another three years and he he says would like to build on their Europa League success from last season.

He told the club's official website: ''I want to stay with Atletico for as long as I can. I am very comfortable at the club now. I will try to keep winning titles here because that's what every player wants. I signed until 2014 and I hope to stay beyond this year."

On the speculation over a possible summer transfer, he responded: ''It's always appreciated if top clubs are interested in you. There are many comments that have been raised about my future but I'm quiet, they don't affect me. I'm honest with myself.''

Aguero has been linked with a move away from the club for some time now, with father-in-law Diego Maradona on record as saying that he sees him playing at Real Madrid n the future.

Despite the speculation, Aguero is enjoying a fine season, netting a brace last weekend to take his tally for the year to 18 goals, ensuring Atleti are in contention to clinch a Europa League spot for next season.

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Swapping Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Samuel Eto'o was great business for us - Inter president Massimo Moratti

Cameroon striker scored in last 16 win Bayern

 

Inter president Massimo Moratti has heaped praise on prolific hitman Samuel Eto'o in the aftermath of the Cameroon international's superb performance in Tuesday's Champions League win over Bayern Munich.

Eto'o scored once and had a hand in the other two goals in a dramatic 3-2 win over the Bavarians that saw the Nerazzurri keep dreams of retaining their title alive.

The 30-year-old attacker joined Inter from Barcelona in the summer of 2009 in a deal that saw Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic go the other way, and Moratti has hailed the transfer as a fantastic piece of business for the Italian club.

"I'm not sure if the deal that brought Eto'o to the club was my best piece of transfer business ever, but I really think it was a great piece of business for us," Moratti was quoted as saying by Tuttosport.

"Eto'o is fantastic. I do not want to take anything away from Ibrahimovic, but for everyone it was really a great deal to get Eto'o. Samuel is truly extraordinary."

Eto'o has been in superb form this season and has already netted 19 Serie A goals for Inter. Additionally, the striker has scored eight goals in the Champions League, and he has climbed to 47th spot in the Castrol Rankings following his good performances in recent months.

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I want to stay at Real Madrid for life - Chelsea target Sergio Ramos

Spaniard happy with added responsibility at Bernabeu

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has shrugged off reports surrounding his future, insisting that he is happy at the Bernabeu.

The Spain international has been linked with a move away from the La Liga giants, with Chelsea rumoured to be interested in his signature.

But the former Sevilla right-back says he would be more than happy to stay at the club for the remainder of his career.

He told Fifa.com: "As for the future, you can never say what’s going to happen in football, although I am happy here. I’m very grateful to Sevilla and Madrid for having moulded me as a player and a person.

"And what more can I ask for than to be with the best club in the world, in a fantastic city and with my family close by? I love it here and if they offer to renew my contract for life, I’d jump at the chance."

"I know I need to earn a few more stripes and I’m more than happy to accept that challenge. I’ve been here for seven years and I’ve absorbed the values of this great club by playing alongside legends like Zinedine Zidane and Raul," he added.

"Now I’m sharing the captaincy with Iker Casillas and I have to set an example and help the newer players, who don’t know the club so well."

Ramos is rated by the Castrol Rankings as the 24th best player currently plying his trade in one of the top five leagues in Europe.

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Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez on Juventus radar - report

For all the latest reports and transfer rumours, visit our dedicated section here.
Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez is reportedly being closely followed by Italian side Juventus, who are hoping to sign the forward during the summer transfer window.

According to Il Corriere Dello Sport, the 25-year-old is being targeted by the Bianconeri to bolster their attacking options.

The Turin giants are considering offering either Amauri - who is currently on loan at Parma - or Vincenzo Iaquinta as a possible player-plus-cash deal.

Gomez has a contract in place with the Bavarian giants until 2013, and a figure of approximately £16 million is what the player is valued at.

Gomez has already scored 18 goals in 24 league appearances and eight goals in as many matches in the Champions League.

Louis van Gaal's side were eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday evening by reigning champions Inter.

Gianluigi Buffon admits Juventus are lacking confidence

Gianluigi Buffon believes all Juventus lack is some confidence, as they aim to climb back up the table before the season ends.

The Turin giants ended a three-match losing streak last weekend, as they managed a 2-2 draw against Cesena, and Buffon is adamant the side can overcome any problems they may be having.

"We are encountering some difficult moments, as it is a tough time, but we cannot let it get to us," the 33-year-old was reported as saying to Itasportpress.it. "The numerous injuries have hurt us, as every time we tried to raise the player quality in our side, there has been an injury.

"All we are lacking is confidence to return to being a big squad."

Regarding his future, Buffon added: "I will remain at Juve, and this is what the club and I both want."

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Mathieu Flamini: AC Milan can win the Scudetto

Mathieu Flamini has declared AC Milan are strong enough to win the title for the first time in seven years as the club prepares for their visit to Palermo.

It was 2004 when Milan lifted the title last - Flamini was still with hometown club Marseille at the time.

A five-point gap over Inter has given the Rossoneri a narrow buffer at the top, and the Frenchman insists it must continue ahead of next week's big derby showdown.

"Success is in our own hands," he told Sky Sport Italia.
"It is important for us to keep focused on our matches with Palermo on Saturday and then Inter in the derby.

"It's an important game, but we are still above them with five points' advantage. We must keep focused on the league as we have the quality to win it."

However, Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be absent with a three-match ban, subsequently appealed by the club.

"He is a great player with big quality, but we can find a solution in the team without him," he said.

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AC Milan set to meet with agent of Chelsea target Ganso - report

For all the latest reports and transfer rumours, visit our dedicated section here.

Highly-rated playmaker Ganso could be on his way out of Brazilian outfit Santos at the end of the season as AC Milan have scheduled a meeting with the player's agent, Thiago Ferro, later this month to discuss a possible transfer.

Tuttosport reports that the Italian side are in the market for a new attacking midfielder to replace the ageing Clarence Seedorf, whose contract at San Siro is set to expire.

Ganso is a product of the Santos youth academy and has developed into a key player for the club since making his official debut in 2008, although the Brazilian international is currently on his way back after spending a considerable period on the sidelines due to a knee injury.

Santos are eager to hold on to their star midfielder and have offered him a new deal until the summer of 2015.

However, he is still considering his options and it remains to be seen whether he'll put pen-to-paper on an extension, as his agent's trip to Milan suggests that the player could be on his way to Europe.

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